Sadiq Khan brings 'tough on violence' programmes to Tottenham

£7.4million has been invested into the programmes for young people across London, reports Olivia Opara

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan on a walkabout with police in Tottenham

The mayor of London visited Tottenham Hale last week to launch a new summer programme to tackle youth violence.

On Thursday, 27th July, the mayor of London Sadiq Khan, announced a new Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) investment of £7.4million into summer programmes to tackle youth violence and provide opportunities for young people across the city. The announcement was made at Living Under One Sun in Tottenham Hale where the mayor met and spoke with young people from WeMove Dance, a performing arts programme in Tottenham, Downs Lane Park Young People’s forum and students from London Academy Of Excellence Tottenham.

The mayor was joined by Lib Peck, director of London’s VRU, Joanne McCartney, GLA member for Enfield and Haringey, and local councillors.

The investment will be split into four main areas: funding for sports and physical activity, investment in grassroots community organisations, paid roles for young Londoners and a project to keep young people safe online. The aim of this investment is to keep children and young people safe and supported throughout the holidays through positive and constructive activities.

The funding will be directed to areas affected by violence which often increases during the summer and the VRU will continue to invest in programmes delivered in areas most affected by violence.

Recently, the mayor has voiced concerns about how the cost-of-living crisis will impact families living in poverty and deprivation this summer, and has written to the prime minister calling for emergency funding alongside his efforts in providing access to activities and opportunities for young people.

The mayor of London Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m committed to tackling violence and building a safe city for all Londoners by being tough on violence and tough on its complex causes.

“We have made progress with homicides, knife and gun crime having fallen since 2016, but the spiralling cost-of-living threatens to exacerbate the drivers of violence with more families affected by poverty and deprivation.

“I set up and funded London’s VRU to lead an approach to tackling violence that is rooted in prevention and early intervention because I’m determined to keep young people safe and ensure they have access to activities and opportunities to thrive this summer.”

Peck said: “We firmly believe that violence is preventable, not inevitable and a key part of our approach is putting children and young people first.

“The VRU listens to and works with young people and families and we know how profound the cost-of-living is on them and how it impacts access to positive opportunities.

“We have seen the positive impact of the Mayor’s investment in prevention through the VRU and that’s now working to deliver support online, sport and physical activity, and diversionary activities led by communities throughout the important summer holiday period.”

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